BUSINESSES in the Tees Valley will be encouraged by an Olympic gold medallist to make the most of London 2012.

Rower Ben Hunt-Davis MBE is the guest speaker at an event organised by Business Link on November 24.

The event is aimed at demonstrating the opportunities presented to businesses by London 2012.

Ben Hunt-Davis rowed his way to gold at the Sydney games in 2000 as part of the British Olympic Men's Eight.

He will join Malcolm Taylor, chief executive of Business Link's Tees Valley operation, at the event.

Mr Taylor said: "It's not just competitors that need to raise their game for the 2012 Olympics, we need to get businesses to understand that they also need to put in a great deal of preparation if they are going to succeed in tendering for contracts.

"Ben Hunt-Davis has invaluable experience of the motivation needed to get ahead and achieve goals and he will be passing on some key messages and tips that the audience can use to inspire the businesses they come into contact with."

The event, specifically aimed at organisations supporting local businesses, will also highlight contract opportunities in the NHS, construction projects, petrochemical and process industries, tourism, local government and the wider public sector.